Make the Choice to be Their Voice: Stephanie Evers Shares Her Activist Story

How did I get here?

Many people ask me that question. And really how, and why, am I here? Why am I so hell bent on saving the African lion? I have never been to the African bush, have never seen a lion in the wild. So why? I’ll turn the clock back; perhaps that will answer the question.

I was born in England but moved to Canada because my parents did — I did not have a choice at 5! Each summer was spent in England with my grandparents, aunts and uncles. Many day-trips were made to the seaside where donkeys were everywhere, their owners offering rides for a few shillings. As far as I can remember, I did not ride one but do remember petting them and feeling their warmth. I was also taken to the Bristol Zoo (small history of elephants at the zoo) where one could ride an elephant or a camel. Yes I did ride an elephant. Did I like it? No, and I never had the desire to do it again. I later found that the zoo ceased all rides on both the elephants and camels by 1964 and no more elephants by 2002 as cited by the link above.

Moving forward. One day with friends while visiting the Toronto Zoo — which was still in its prime — we came across the “lion enclosure.” It was a beautiful day and we all wondered why the lions were restricted to their indoor enclosure only. One could view the enclosure from the outside through a large window. One very large male attacked the window every time he saw my friend with such force that it scared us all. My only conclusion was that my friend brought back memories of his past that were not pleasant and he sought revenge. Why else would this one lion repeatedly lunge toward one person in our group and no-one else? The visits to the zoo over the next few years could be counted on one hand missing some fingers. All the animals appeared to be sad and lifeless. The eagle would look at his dinner of white mice all laid out in a line for him, showing no interest at all. All the animals paced and had repetitive movements which were not normal. And I do hope the raccoon found his way out!

Moving forward again. A few years ago the remaining three elephants from Toronto Zoo were relocated to PAWS (see the Toronto elephants journey) in California. It was a long battle. I could not understand why people were so against this move, it made absolutely no sense. Thankfully they made it and have now a life of enrichment, peace and well-being.

While following this story and having the internet at my fingertips, my searches went further. I was suddenly made aware of the plight of the African and Asian elephant, the rhinos and finally the African lions. For years I knew about canned/fenced/high fenced hunting in the USA which I regrettably turned a blind eye to. I had absolutely no idea of the industry in South Africa. Yes, I knew that animals in Africa were hunted for trophies but not the devastation it was causing for the wildlife — and lions bred for the bullet? I hadn’t a clue. I was devastated. So I dug deeper. One lion called out to me and since then, I haven’t looked back. I took to the internet in full fury to find all the information I could and connect through social media with people who wanted to do the same; to end the cycle and save the African lion. One cannot fight the battle alone no matter how loud your roar is.

What I have discovered through reading and thus learning, is that this has been a long battle and we have a long way to go before it ends. There are moments of joy, moments of despair, moments of sadness and moments of pure frustration. But I will never give up, not now, knowing what is at stake. It has become a mandate of mine to make as many people aware of what is happening to the African lion both — wild and captive — because together we will roar louder, we will be heard and we will make changes.

You can find a plethora of information right here on PACH (People Against Canned Hunting)! So don’t be shy: join us, ask questions, but most of all, make the choice to be their voice.